4.5.B—Explain how trait theories of personality define and assess personality

Explain how trait theories of personality define and assess personality.

• T rait theories of personality conclude that personality involves a set of enduring characteristics that lead to typical responses to stimuli.
• The Big Five theory of personality proposes that traits of agreeableness, openness to experience, extraversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability make up one’s personality. These traits are measured by specialized personality inventories that use factor analysis to organize item responses.